Archaeologists' concerns on plans for a cycleway at historic area

Louise Wash

Noted archaeologists have rowed in behind a Meath group opposing plans, which they say will knock mature trees and run a cycle route through a protected national monument.

The area in Navan was described by Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan as the place of his childhood memories, during a recent visit to his native town with his wife Keely

Former Keeper of Irish Antiquities Dr Eamonn P. Kelly and Maynooth University’s Dr Michael Potterton have joined the Save Navan Heritage group with concerns on the plans to fell 22 trees and demolish and relocate 300 meters of old stone walls near the 15th century Athlumney Castle.

The area also contains a 12th century Norman motte, a 13th century church ruins and a site where a Viking fleet was reputed to land.

Locals say they understand the need for better transport options and are very much in favour of cycle lanes but not at the expense of built heritage and well-established trees and eco systems.

Navan’s Municipal Councillors are due to vote on the plans in the coming weeks.

“Local people were completely unaware of the scale of destruction proposed to accommodate this cycle lane," said local resident Niamh Leech.

“The proposed plans run through the national monument of Athlunmey Castle which has the same protected status as Newgrange, said Mairead Crinion of the Navan Historical Society.

“You can’t just knock a wall that’s hundreds of years old and rebuild it further back – all that mortar that held it together is gone.  It’s just a replica”

Navan native and UCD archaeologist Clare Ryan, who is currently supervising on the recent excavation findings at Dowth Hall in Meath, has expressed her ‘serious concerns’ on the plans.

“Athlumney Castle is a national monument and has the same protective legislation as Newgrange and the Hill of Tara – no works can take place within this area without ministerial consent from the National Monument Service.

“The nearby Athlumney Church, graveyard and motte are also protected monuments.

“One 85m section of the wall scheduled for demolition is depicted on Thomas Williams map of Navan 1756 but may be much earlier.

“I’m very much in favour of cycle lanes but not at the expense of built heritage and well-established trees and eco-systems.

Navan native and UCD archaeologist Clare Ryan

“Rebuilding old walls with modern render destroys the visual historic aesthetic of the stone – it never looks the same.

“The required archaeological monitoring and potential excavation could make this project an extremely prolonged and highly expensive affair and felling 22 mature trees is surely environmental vandalism"

Former keeper of Irish Antiquities, Dr Eamonn P Kelly, who undertook extensive excavations in Navan for over 30 years from the 1970s, has called for a more comprehensive archaeological assessment for the area

"I am very concerned that the proposed development may impact negatively on a location that is known to contain archaeological remains of national and international importance," he said.

"There is clearly an important complex of archaeological sites and monuments at Athlumney, some of which are poorly understood and the overall scope and scale of which remains unknown.

"A more comprehensive understanding of the Athlumney archaeological complex is strongly advised in order to assess the possible negative impact of development and to provide reliable informed advice on appropriate archaeological responses."

Dr Michael Potterton of Maynooth University said: "These surviving structures are very significant - not just in isolation from each other, but as part of an archaeological complex, the integrity of which it is incumbent upon us, as custodians of this cultural heritage, to protect, preserve and promote.

"Any development that compromises these structures and their environment must be avoided."

On his Instagram page, Pierce Brosnan visited this home place near the site and said: "On summers evenings, my grandfather Philip Smith would walk up the lane hand in hand as the last slow rays of sunshine fell through the canopy of trees.

"This road that Keely and I stand on is a part of my five-year-old's memory. (My grandfather) was the only father figure I knew. He believed in me."

Local Fianna Fail Cllr. Tommy Reilly said he will urge the council to revisit the plans to find an alternative way to install a cycleway on that route.

"This area is one of huge historical importance to the town and can't just be developed without a proper and indepth analysis engaging all the relevant experts.  We can't be responsible for ruining our heritage for generations to come."

Save Navan Heritage has set up a Facebook page which can be accessed here

Pierce's post can be found at here